I Vow To Thee My Country ~

I vow to thee  my country all earthly things above
Entire and whole and perfect, the sources of thy love
The love that asks no questions, the love that stands the test
That lays upon the alter the dearest and the host.
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price.
The love that makes individuals the final sacrifice.
And there's another country, I have heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know.
We may not count her armies, we may not see her long
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering,
And soul by soul and silently be shining bounds increase
And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.

Be Thou My Vision~

Be Thou my vision, or Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best though, by day or by night
Walking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word,
I ever with Thee, and Thou with me Lord.
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son.
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

Riches, I need not, nor man's empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart.
High king of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won
may I reach heavens joys O bright heavens son
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still, be my vision O Ruler of all

Touches the World With Beauty

God who touches the world with beauty,
Make me lovely too;
With thy spirit re create me,
Make my heart anew.

Like Thy springs and running waters,
Make me crystal pure;
Like thy rocks of towering grandeur,
Make me strong and sure.

Like Thy dancing waves of sunlight,
Make me glad and free;
Like the straightness of the pine trees,
Let me upright be.

Like the arching of the heavens,
Lift my thoughts above;
Turn my dreams to noble actions,
Ministries of love.

God, who touches the earth with beauty,
Make me lovely too;
Keep me ever by Thy spirit.
Pure and strong and true.

~from the Camp Fire Girls songbook...1945

Posted by Jennie M. ButlerSwennes at 3:24 PM

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Tom & Katherine Swennes and Julie and Gene Butler 2/14/1954

Tough questions from kids - Why do we pray for our enemies?

The main reason we pray for our enemies is because God tells us to.  He tells us to love our enemies.  Praying for our enemies and loving them is God's way.

Another reason is that all people, especially bad people, need prayer.  There is no better way to change them.  If we want bad people to stop being bad, we need to ask God to do it.

Summertime remembered.....

Doxology - Awake My Soul......

Awake my soul, and with the sun

Thy daily stage of duty run

Shake of dull sloth and joyfully rise

To pay thy morning sacrifice

Lord, I my vows to thee renew

disperse my sins as morning dew

guard my first springs of thought and will

and with thyself, thy spirit fill

Direct, control, suggest this day

All I design or do or say

that all my powers with all their might

in thy soul glory may unite

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him, all creatures here below

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost